124. Chapter 124: Her Answer (2)

"So, you have made up your mind?" Leng Xinmeng asked.

Qiao Xi remained looking out the window, her expression calm and still.

"Yes," she said, still not looking at anyone.

Although Leng Xinmeng had an impatient temperament, she knew that Gu Heng was the one who most wanted to know the answer, so she did not press further. Of course, there was another reason she held back: she cast a glance toward Ji Niansheng. She furrowed her brows—he shouldn't think she didn't know he was eavesdropping.

Ji Niansheng was more or less concerned about the situation, but Qiao Xi clearly had no intention of elaborating. He had intended to ask, but upon receiving a look of "hostility" from Leng Xinmeng, he decided to stay quiet. He really didn't want to get into a fight with her, so it was better to remain silent for the time being.

"I'm heading back," Leng Xinmeng said as she stood up. She hadn't originally intended to visit Qiao Xi tonight; if Ji Niansheng hadn't appeared out of the blue and been spotted by her mother, who was so hospitable that she insisted on inviting him in, she wouldn't have bothered making an excuse to come out.

Seeing this, Ji Niansheng immediately set down his chopsticks and stood up as well.

"What are you doing?" Leng Xinmeng asked, eyeing him.

"You're leaving, so naturally, I'm coming with you," Ji Niansheng replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Leng Xinmeng was the one he was interested in; as for Qiao Xi, that was a matter for Yu Fan to worry about—he had no obligation to help.

"Who are you, and why are you following me?" Leng Xinmeng’s tone was sharp. Was this guy really planning to pester her? "I'm warning you, stop bothering me, or else!" She brandished her fist; though small, her spirit was formidable. "You know the consequences." With that, she waved a hand at Qiao Xi and walked out.

"She certainly has a fiery temper," Ji Niansheng sighed. He wasn't afraid of fighting her, but he didn't want every encounter to end in a brawl.

Qiao Xi watched Xinmeng leave the restaurant, then turned her gaze to Ji Niansheng. Even without guessing, she understood the situation well enough, yet she said nothing.

Once they were out of the restaurant, she finally spoke. "I'm going home."

"That won't work. If you leave, what am I supposed to do? I'm not familiar with this place," Ji Niansheng immediately protested.

"There are no taxis at this hour," Qiao Xi said.

"I know that, which is why I'll have to stay the night. But you could at least tell me where the hotels are."

"This is the countryside; there are no hotels," Qiao Xi replied bluntly.

"Then what am I supposed to do? Am I going to have to sleep on the street tonight?" Ji Niansheng was finally distressed. Even if it weren't winter, no one wanted to sleep on the street. "Is there an internet cafe? I can pull an all-nighter, that would be fine." As long as he wasn't sleeping on the street, he could manage, though he truly despised the smell inside those places.

Qiao Xi thought for a moment and finally said, "I'll take you to a friend's house. It shouldn't be a problem for you to stay the night."

"A guy or a girl?" It was a slightly foolish question, but Ji Niansheng felt it was necessary to ask.

"A guy," Qiao Xi answered.

Although staying at a stranger's house felt a bit strange, since Qiao Xi had suggested it herself, it was clearly safe, and he had no reason to refuse.

They stopped in front of a house. Qiao Xi initially meant to make a phone call, only to realize she had left her phone on her bed after reading Xinmeng's text message and hadn't brought it with her. With no other choice, she pressed the doorbell.

After she rang, someone soon came to open the door. It was Nan Zixi's mother. Although Qiao Xi rarely visited, she had met her a few times and knew her reasonably well.

"Hello, Auntie."